June 6, 2012 9:00pm EDTJune 6, 2012 8:33pm EDTMiami Heat forward Chris Bosh is expected to get more playing time against the Boston Celtics in Game 6.

Staff report

Published on Jun. 6, 2012

Jun. 6, 2012

Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh got off to a promising start in his first action since suffering an abdominal strain in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Still, he finished the night on the bench as the Miami Heat fell, 94-90, to the Boston Celtics in a Game 5 loss on Tuesday night.

Why he spent so much time on the bench was a mystery to many, and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra plans to amend that decision in Game 6. He said Wednesday that Bosh will play extended minutes in Miami’s Thursday elimination game in Boston.

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Spoelstra also left open the possibility of starting Bosh, who returned Tuesday from a nine-game absence that dates back to a May 13 injury.

"I'm still going through that thought process," Spoelstra said to reporters. "But I think he'll be able to handle a bigger load of minutes, and it'll be based more on how he'll feel during the game."

Bosh compiled nine points and seven rebounds in 14 minutes Tuesday for the Heat, which now trails the Celtics, 3-2.

Bosh’s return was expected to open the Miami Heat offense and slow Kevin Garnett to some extent. But with Bosh on the bench most of the night, Garnett scored 26 points and 11 rebounds in 36 minutes and the Celtics clogged driving lanes to defend LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

"Those are the decisions you have to make," Spoelstra said. "And I know after the fact, those can always be second-guessed. But we're treading in kind of new waters right now, and (Bosh) had been out quite a while. But he'll play more tomorrow night."

Spoelstra said Wednesday reserve Ronny Turiaf didn’t play because of a groin injury, making Bosh’s health of even greater importance. Bosh said he is well on his way back to full strength despite feeling soreness on Wednesday.

"It's nothing major," Bosh said. "Everybody feels it after every game. I consider myself a lucky guy and will be ready for tomorrow."